In the debate ahead of the government's work on a tobacco bill in the summer of 2018 and the subsequent parliamentary elections, voices were raised that the difference between cigarettes and snus in terms of harmful effects should be reflected in "milder" legislation on the marketing of snus. In the corridors of the Riksdag, there was intense activity from the snus industry, which led members of parliament to claim that there was no public opinion to legislate against snus in the same way as against cigarettes.

Tobacco Facts therefore wanted to investigate the state of opinion and in the fall of 2018, through SIFO, conducted a web survey involving 1000 men and 500 women representative of the adult population, see the fact box below.

The results of the survey showed that the population seems to understand the need for regulation of snus better than our politicians do. Although snus generally has less pronounced health effects than smoking, the effects demonstrated by snus research on cardiovascular function, on the development of diabetes and on fetal life are of a serious nature and degree. It is therefore not the regulation of snus that should be eased – it is instead the regulations surrounding the marketing of all tobacco and nicotine products that should be tightened. This is only possible through political decisions that are based on research results rather than on the financial statements of the tobacco industry and trade.

Facts about the survey and the results

To provide participants with a common knowledge base, the survey began with the following information:

Cigarette smoking is the most harmful form of tobacco use – over 12,000 people die each year in Sweden from smoking. The World Health Organization's tobacco control convention – which Sweden joined in 2005 – contains a series of measures that together can reduce tobacco use. The convention covers all forms of tobacco, not just today's traditional cigarettes.

Like cigarettes, snus contains nicotine, which makes all tobacco products more or less addictive. Since snus does not involve inhaling burnt tobacco, snus is less harmful to health than smoking, but it is not harmless: scientific studies have shown an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, birth defects, diabetes and obesity. The cultivation of tobacco for snus production also causes the same harm as that used for cigarette production.

Question 1. The WHO Tobacco Control Convention clearly states that all tobacco is harmful to health and should be regulated in the same way as far as possible. Should Sweden regulate snus like other tobacco products in accordance with the Tobacco Control Convention?

A total of 63 percent answered yes. Active snus users were the least positive (17 percent) but ex-snus users were significantly more positive (55 percent).

Question 2. Currently, there are only written warnings on the bottom of snus cans. Should snus packaging have the same type of warnings in both words and pictures as other tobacco products?

A total of 67 percent answered yes. Active snus users 25 percent, ex-snus users 59 percent.

 Question 3. Snus is taken in the mouth and is therefore regulated in Sweden as a food product – despite the fact that snus is an addictive tobacco product. Should Sweden regulate snus as a tobacco product?

A total of 78 percent answered yes. Active snus users 43 percent, ex-snus users 72 percent.

Question 4. The tobacco industry has been adding flavorings for many years to make its tobacco products more attractive to, for example, young people. Should snus contain fruit or candy flavors?

A total of 62 percent answered no. Active snus users 41 percent no, ex-snus users 58 percent.

Question 5. With the increasing ban on advertising for tobacco products, the individual packaging has become the most important “advertising pillar.” Should snus be subject to the same restrictions as cigarettes when it comes to displaying the products in stores?

A total of 84 percent answered yes. Active snus users 59 percent, ex-snus users 78 percent.